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TUARAN MP Wilfred Madius Tangau has urged the Election Commission (EC) not to fix nomination or polling days on Fridays, Saturdays, or Sundays, saying doing so runs against the spirit of the Rukun Negara.
He argued that worship days must be respected across all faiths: Friday for Muslims, Saturday for Seventh-Day Adventists and the True Jesus Church, and Sunday for Christians including Roman Catholics and Protestants.
“I propose that the nomination and polling processes be conducted on regular weekdays, between Monday and Thursday, to demonstrate respect for Malaysia’s religious diversity,” he said in a statement from Kuala Lumpur on Monday.
This comes as the state has already dissolved its assembly which would pave the way for a state election.
Madius, who is also honorary president of the United Progressive Kinabalu Organisation (Upko), pointed out that the first principle of the Rukun Negara, Belief in God, should not remain just a pledge but be practised as a guiding value in governance.
“When we want to uphold a principle, we must embody and live by it. Respecting the worship days of all religions is part of Belief in God,” he said.
He reminded that Malaysia had once conducted elections smoothly on weekdays.
Tangau noted that the 14th General Election on May 9, 2018, fell on a Wednesday, while the Permatang Pauh by-election on May 7, 2015, was on a Thursday.
But recent polls, he said, were held on days of worship.
The 15th General Election on November 19, 2022, and its nomination day on November 5 that year, both landed on a Saturday, causing difficulties for those observing worship.
Madius further drew comparisons with Indonesia, where the principles of Pancasila are reflected in national life as a balance of spirituality and harmony.
“If we truly respect the Rukun Negara, every decision must reflect the values we uphold,” he added. - October 6, 2025